"O Heiland, Reiss Die Himmel Auf" - NHOC 2022 "Winter Night" Concert

"O Heiland, Reiss Die Himmel Auf", composed by Johannes Brahms (1833-1897). Performed as part of the New Haven Oratorio Society's "Winter Night" Concert on December 4, 2022 at Bethesda Lutheran Church in New Haven, CT.
Kevin Bailey, NHOC Interim Artistic Director
Alexis Zingale, NHOC Accompanist
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O Heiland, Reiss Die Himmel Auf
Johannes Brahms (1833-1897)
Text: German hymn, attributed to
Friedrich Spee (1591-1635) based on Isaiah 45:8
O Heiland, reiß die Himmel auf,
Herab, herauf, vom Himmel lauf,
Reiß ab vom Himmel Tor und Tür,
Reiß ab, was Schloß und Riegel für!
O Gott, ein’ Tau vom Himmel gieß,
Im Tau herab, o Heiland, fließ.
Ihr Wolken, brecht und regnet aus
Den König über Jakobs Haus.
O Erd, schlag aus, schlag aus, o Erd,
Daß Berg und Tal grün alles werd.
O Erd, herfür dies Blümlein bring,
O Heiland, aus der Erden spring.
Hie leiden wir die größte Not,
Vor Augen steht der bitt’re Tod.
Ach komm, führ uns mit starker Hand
Vom Elend zu dem Vaterland.
Da wollen wir all danken dir,
Unserm Erlöser, für und für;
Da wollen wir all loben dich
Je, all Zeit immer und ewiglich. Amen.
O Savior, tear open the heavens,
Hasten downward from heaven!
Tear away the gate and door of heaven,
Tear off the locks and bolts!
O God, pour dew from heaven;
Come down, O Savior, in the dew.
Ye clouds, break and rain down
The king over the house of Jacob.
O earth, burst forth, burst forth, O earth,
That all mountains and valleys may become green.
O earth, bring forth this tender blossom,
O savior, spring out of the earth.
Here we suffer the greatest tribulation,
Before our eyes looms bitter death;
Ah come, lead us with a mighty hand
From exile to our homeland.
Therefore we would all thank thee,
Our Redeemer, forever and ever.
Therefore we would all praise thee
At all times and forever and ever. Amen.
Cover Image: The Madonna of the Village (detail)
(c) Marc Chagall, VEGAP, Madrid, Museo Nacional Thyssen-Bornemisza
Program Notes from Gretchen Pritchard
Audio recording by Mateusz Zechowski of StudioTeo
Video: Copyright 2022 Mike Cocchi
Website: NHoratorio.org
Facebook: NewHavenOratorioChoir